FIRM Act of 2025

HR 1220 (FIRM Act of 2025) increases nonimmigrant visa fees for applicants from countries meeting specific criteria. It requires the Secretary of State to raise fees by 50% for one criterion (e.g., countries denying acceptance of deported nationals), 100% for two criteria (e.g., terrorism sponsors or Tier 3 trafficking countries), or 150% for all three. The fee hike applies to B-1/B-2 visa applicants (business/tourism visas) from designated countries. The Secretary must review these designations monthly to adjust fees or add new countries. This policy directly affects visa applicants from nations meeting the State Department's criteria.